The excavation of two small temples and a possible storeroom at Vryokastro on the Greek island of Kythnos has revealed a whopping 2,000 plus clay collectible figurines, in all probability votive choices left over a number of centuries. Dated to the seventh century BC, the location was in use for a couple of 1,000 years, and has been the topic of an archaeological challenge by the Greek cultural ministry. The collectible figurines depict girls and kids primarily, but in addition, tortoises, lions, pigs, and birds.

Cult Worship at Kythnos

The pottery vessels unearthed on the website have been linked to the worship of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with her daughter Persephone. Imported pottery from different elements of Greece have additionally been discovered, together with ornate lamps, and fragments of vases thought to have been utilized in worshipping Demeter and Persephone.

The vases point out a doable hyperlink between the sanctuary website on Kythnos with Eleusis, a complete website close to Athens, the place Demeter and Persephone are identified to have been worshipped, reviews The Associated Press.

An aerial view of the temple complicated at Kythnos. Within the heart is the sanctuary of Demeter and Koris.  (Greek Culture Ministry)

A Treasure Trove of Artifacts: Spiritual Worship and Kythnian Tradition

On the coronary heart of the excavation effort lies the temple devoted to Demeter and Kori, which proved to be a veritable treasure trove of artifacts. Adjoining to those sacred buildings, navy installations had been uncovered on the southern facet of the acropolis, serving as a reminder of the strategic significance of Kythnos all through its historical past. Notably, these navy amenities had been as soon as garrisoned by troops beneath the command of King Philip V of Macedon round 201 BC.

The varied array of artifacts found span the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic durations. They depict a myriad of topics, together with girls, youngsters, and to a lesser extent, males. The collectible figurines provide a glimpse into the day by day lives, cultural practices, and inventive sensibilities of the traditional Kythnian inhabitants, reviews The Greek City Reporter.

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Most of the collectible figurines had been intact after years within the floor. (Greek Culture Ministry)

Along with human figures, animal collectible figurines additionally made their look, with depictions starting from endearing piglets and swish turtles to majestic lions, formidable rams, and swish birds.

Lighting vessels and lamps had been additionally found on the Kythnos website, with distinctive shapes and designs. These shed gentle, each actually and metaphorically, on the rituals and day by day routines of the traditional residents. Among the vessels exhibit ornate patterns, suggesting their use in spiritual ceremonies, whereas others displayed extra utilitarian options that helped illuminate town’s houses and streets.

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Clay lamps of archaic, classical and Hellenistic occasions. (Greek Culture Ministry)

Ceramics additionally performed a major function within the materials tradition of historic Kythnos, with well-preserved pottery part of the finds. Among the many findings had been examples of the long-lasting historic Greek pink and black determine pottery model. Archaeologists notice that the invention of ceramics provides to the rising information base of aesthetics, symbols, and useful features of those objects.

A various vary of cash had been additionally found, which have supplied some perception into the financial system of the traditional metropolis, each Greek and Roman coinage and numismatics. These are robust reminders of the financial interactions and commerce networks of the Kythnos.

The cash embrace a coin from Trajan’s reign, minted round 106 AD, in addition to a coin that includes the picture of Diocletian, minted round 285 AD. Probably the most intriguing discovery is a silver Kythnian coin, distinct from earlier findings, that includes the pinnacle of Apollo on the obverse and a lyre on the reverse!

Bronze Roman cash (Trajan’s sestertius, after 106 AD, under, and Diocletian’s coin of 285 AD, above). (Greek Culture Ministry)

Vryokatos Kythnos Excavation Program on the Kythnos Web site

Underneath the steerage of Professor Alexandros Mazarakis Ainianos and Dr. Dimitris Athanasoulis, the Vryokastro Kythnos excavation program (2021-2025) has launched into a journey by way of the remnants of town’s acropolis. Collaborating with numerous authorities and non-government organizations, the staff, comprised of archaeologists, architects, conservators, zooarchaeologists, and college students from the College of Thessaly and France, has painstakingly sifted by way of layers of historical past.

Spanning a broad spectrum of time from the Archaic to Roman durations, the findings on the Kythnos archaeological website provide an intriguing glimpse into town’s evolution over centuries. Among the many quite a few extraordinary artifacts unearthed, one can marvel on the beautiful collectible figurines, cash, lighting vessels, lamps, ingesting vessels, and ceramics, every with its personal story to inform.

The traditional metropolis of Kythnos thrived from the twelfth century BC till the seventh century AD, and the current archaeological discoveries present tangible proof of its in depth habitation all through the ages. In 2021, the analysis staff centered their consideration on the structural stays situated atop town’s acropolis, unearthing charming remnants from a variety of historic Greek durations, together with the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman eras.

Prime picture: Clay collectible figurines of girls and boys discovered throughout an excavation on the Greek island of Kythnos. Supply: Greek Culture Ministry

By Sahir Pandey